Chapter 169
Philip instantly understood. Catherine's sudden sweetness and attempt to please him was because she'd lost her phone and wanted his help.
Catherine blinked her innocent green eyes, gently brushing her chin against his abs.
Philip was defenseless against Catherine's charm offensive. He resigned himself to her request.
"Fine, I'll buy you a new phone later today."
Catherine pouted, her voice deliberately sweet. "That's not what I want."
Philip could barely handle her coquettish behavior. "Alright, what do you want then?"
Catherine went straight to the point. "Help me find my old phone, please? Pretty please?"
Her phone contained a wealth of critical information, including evidence of James and Elizabeth's criminal activities.
This wasn't something a new phone could replace.
She blamed alcohol for her carelessness. Somehow while intoxicated, she'd managed to lose her phone. After arguing with Philip this morning, she'd slept until afternoon, only to discover her phone was missing.
She didn't particularly want to cozy up to Philip, but without her phone, she couldn't even call a cab or use the subway properly, let alone search for it herself.
After considering her options, charming Philip into helping seemed most efficient. It just required a little flirtation.
Now Philip understood completely.
It was easier to buy a new phone than find the old one. Where had she gone last night? Who had she met? Was the phone lost or stolen? Nothing was certain.
Philip cupped her face, giving her cheeks a gentle squeeze.
"You wish it were that easy." He thought it ridiculous that she expected him to mobilize resources to find her phone in exchange for making him soup.
Catherine stood up from her chair and wrapped her arms around his neck. "Philip, please help me?"
"If I refuse, you'll throw a tantrum, won't you?"
Philip had regained the upper hand and wasn't about to surrender it easily.
Catherine needed his help too desperately to be difficult. Flirtation was her best strategy.
"I won't make a scene, I promise." Catherine's voice was soft and vulnerable. "You already think so poorly of me—if I cause more trouble, you might leave me for good."
Philip knew she was acting, but he was susceptible to her tactics nonetheless.
Catherine pouted again. "It's okay if you don't help. I'll just have to find it myself."
She released Philip's neck and stepped back, looking pitiful. "If you won't help, I'll search on my own, even if I walk my legs off trying to find it."
Philip watched Catherine's theatrical performance and laughed coldly, pulling her back into his arms.
"I'll help you find it!" he said irritably, falling for her ploy despite knowing better. "I can't let you walk your legs off!"
Catherine smiled with satisfaction.
As she stood on tiptoe, Philip grabbed her waist and lifted her up. "Want to kiss me?"
He brought his face close to her lips. "Go ahead, I'll let you."
Catherine bit her lip, suppressing a smile, and planted a kiss on his handsome face. "Philip, you're the best."
Philip was delighted inwardly, though his words remained teasing.
"You only think I'm good when you need something from me."
Catherine made a small sound of protest, her survival instincts strong. "That's not true. I think you're wonderful even when we're arguing."
She kissed Philip again, not directly making demands but asking indirectly, "What am I supposed to do until my old phone is found?"
Philip saw through her little scheme immediately.
What else could he do?
"I'll buy you a new one in the meantime."
When Catherine wasn't fighting with him, her subtle manipulations were almost impossible to resist.
With the prospect of both recovering her old phone and getting a new one, Catherine was satisfied.
Just as she was about to move away from Philip's embrace, he lowered his head and kissed her firmly.
If she was making all these demands, a kiss on the cheek wasn't nearly enough!
Philip kept Catherine at home to recover for two days, only allowing her to leave once her forehead and ankle were sufficiently healed.
Monday morning, Philip personally drove Catherine to the hospital.
Catherine was eager to report to her department and unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to exit the car.
Philip caught her arm. "Leaving so soon?"
Had he become nothing more than her personal chauffeur?
Catherine frowned, thinking Philip was difficult to please.
After three days, her phone still hadn't been found, yet he had the nerve to expect a reward.
Catherine pretended not to understand his meaning, looking at him with wide eyes.
Philip, seeing she wouldn't initiate, placed his hand behind her head and forcibly kissed her.
Catherine was annoyed, keeping her lips closed and pushing at his shoulder. "Philip, I'm going to be late."
"So be late," Philip replied arrogantly. Tardiness meant nothing to him.
Catherine rolled her eyes.
He was the CEO who could arrive at work whenever he pleased. She was just an employee—how could they be compared?
Seeing Catherine's displeasure, Philip settled for a kiss on her cheek before releasing her.
"Alright, go ahead."
Catherine opened the door and walked toward the hospital without looking back.
Philip thought Catherine was ungrateful.
In the hospital director's office, Tomas handed Catherine a document.
"Dr. Levin, this is the hospital's work arrangement for you in the next semester. Please review it."
Catherine took the paper and glanced at it, confused.
"Mr. Savage, have I performed inadequately in some way?"
Why would they transfer her without explanation?
"Not at all," Tomas hurried to explain, afraid she might misunderstand. "You're talented and hardworking. Every doctor who's worked with you appreciates your skills."
"We value you greatly and want to provide you with better development opportunities."
"With your qualifications, I recommend you pursue cardiothoracic surgery or neurosurgery."
Catherine was pleased to hear Tomas's affirmation.
"Even if I change departments, is it necessary to transfer to a different hospital campus?"
Catherine examined the transfer notice. She currently worked at the West Campus but was being reassigned to the East Campus cardiothoracic department—wasn't that excessively distant?
Tomas smiled evasively. "You know Dr. Blackwood at the East Campus, right?"
Catherine raised an eyebrow.
Could she admit she was quite familiar with Cassius? He had just visited the villa yesterday to check her injuries.
"Yes, Dr. Blackwood is one of Brightonfield's top cardiothoracic specialists, though I've heard he never takes students."
Tomas nodded. "That's right. He previously didn't, but recently he seems to have changed his mind and wants to find a talented student to mentor."
Catherine was surprised.
If Cassius was looking for a talented student, could it be her? For some reason, she sensed there was more to this transfer than met the eye.
Catherine carefully asked, "If I transfer to East Campus, will I work directly with Dr. Blackwood?"
Tomas gave her a kind smile. "Not necessarily."
"Dr. Blackwood selects his students carefully. If he doesn't believe you have the aptitude, he certainly won't take you on."
"I think this is a good opportunity. You can compete for the position, and if you can study under Dr. Blackwood, you'll gain invaluable clinical experience."
Hearing Tomas's explanation, Catherine was intrigued.
Cassius was a highly sought-after physician in Brightonfield. Learning from him would help her avoid many pitfalls in her career.
Catherine decisively agreed. "Alright, I accept the transfer."
Tomas breathed a sigh of relief after successfully completing the task that Philip had assigned to him.
"However," Catherine added, changing her tone and setting a condition, "I'd like about a week for the transition. I still have patients under my care."
"Of course," Tomas readily agreed. "Your sense of responsibility is commendable."